Fosmidomycin is a specific inhibitor of 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXP) [1]. Fosmidomycin is an antibiotic originally isolated from bacteria of the genus Streptomyces.

1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase is an enzyme that interconverts DXP and 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) [2].

Fosmidomycin was active against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and the human malarial parasite P. falciparum with the IC50 of 290-370 nM[3]. Fosmidomycin inhibited 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in an alternative nonmevalonate pathway for terpenoid biosynthesis with IC50 of 8.2 nM [1]. Fosmidomycin has been shown to possess activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro and in the mouse model. In patients with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, oral administration of 1,200 mg fosmidomycin every 8 h for 7 days was effective in curing uncomplicated Plasmodiumfalciparum malaria in humans [4]. Fosmidomycin was an effective and safe antimalarial drug [4]. The treatment was well tolerated and showed a fast parasite and fever clearance [4].

References:
[1] Kuzuyama T, Shimizu T, Takahashi S, et al. Fosmidomycin, a specific inhibitor of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in the nonmevalonate pathway for terpenoid biosynthesis[J]. Tetrahedron letters, 1998, 39(43): 7913-7916.
[2] Takahashi S, Kuzuyama T, Watanabe H, et al. A 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase catalyzing the formation of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate in an alternative nonmevalonate pathway for terpenoid biosynthesis[J]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1998, 95(17): 9879-9884.
[3] Jomaa H, Wiesner J, Sanderbrand S, et al. Inhibitors of the nonmevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis as antimalarial drugs[J]. Science, 1999, 285(5433): 1573-1576.
[4] Lell B, Ruangweerayut R, Wiesner J, et al. Fosmidomycin, a novel chemotherapeutic agent for malaria[J]. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 2003, 47(2): 735-738.